Although the gas works in York ceased operating in York many years ago you can still see traces like the pipeline across the River Foss that carried gas from the gas works into the city. Nowadays natural gas is piped through these pipes from the pump control room in Layerthorpe. Below is a pile drill on the site of the old gas works drilling deep holes to put in foundations for buildings to be erected on the site (probably another hotel). Just beyond the drill there will be a new road linking Malton Road to James Street giving the chance to avoid the circuitous route round Foss Bank onto Foss Islands Road to Lawrence Street and Hull Road.

Follow the Foss - 5 - Along Fossbank to Heworth Green

Gone are the interesting parts like the building reclamation yard, Ossie's scrap yard, the gas and coking works with the bridge carrying a large gas pipe over the river and road. You have to look hard for some of the remains and what has replaced it is standard pastry cutter design industrial, commercial and high density housing buildings(slums of the future? only time will tell!).

Where the cars in the foreground are parked is where the reclamation yard used to stand. Ornate and interesting chimney spots were stacked around the yard. Rainfall has been a bit low this year and weed growth has become prominent in this section of the river as water levels have fallen.

Hidden  in the trees you can just make out the blue and whitesignboard of the automotive spares building of Partco. In the background is the high density housing and office buildings that have been built on the gas works site.

This picture is notable for the lack of the gas storage tank which normally dominates thesky line, presumably deflated as there is less gas demand during the summer months, or has that reached an end point and being decommisioned?

All that remains of the viaduct that carried a substantial gas main over the river and road are these two green foundation footings.  Rubbish in the water this year seems to be a particular problem. Maybe it is something to do with the low levels of water flowing in the river so it doesn't get washed out into the Ouse and become someone elses problem, or is it just a symptom of untidy city dwellers and a council strapped for cash?

 

Approaching Heworth green there is a small concrete bridge in front of the main Heworth Green road bridge another of the few remaining bits of the old gas works site.

Fossbank joins Heworth Green, Huntington Road and Monkgate at the Monk Roundabout. Cross to Huntington Road via Heworth Green.

View Follow The Foss in a larger map

Further reflections on the Foss

The angular concrete bridge used to carry a large diameter gas pipe over the River Foss in the days when Town's gas was manufactured at the gas works that was on the right hand side of the river. The grey bridge in the background carries the stretch of the Malton Road known as Heworth Green over the River Foss.

Fossbank

Fossbank is the location of one of the Sainsbury supermarkets in York and the car park looks out over the River Foss towards the gasometer and former gas works at Layerthorpe.

Gas Storage Tank - Layerthorpe

We have been hearing rumours for the last five years that this gas tank is going to be dismantled so I thought I had better record it just in case it does eventually get dismantled and removed. The area where the old gas works that was used to convert coal into towns gas used to be next to it and has now been built on with a block of offices and a block of flats nearing completion. Behind the wall is the track of the old railway line which used to run to the Rowntree factory. The track has been removed and a tarmac cycle and pedestrian track created.